Ryan Ogam came off the bench to score the only goal as Kenya beat ten man Burundi 1-0 in a 2026 World Cup Qualifying clash staged at the Intwari Stadium, Bujumbura on Thursday 9th October 2025.
With both countries having nothing to fight for but pride, the hosts found themslevs a man down just a minute into the game when Bonfis Caleb was shown a red card after striking keeper Brian Bwire in the face during a ground duel.
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The tussle saw Bwire, who was handed a rare start by coach Benni McCarthy, receive a lengthy medical attention before being stretched off for Bryne Omondi but despite the numerical advantage, Stars couldn’t get the better of the hosts in a first half that was marred by reckless challenges from both sides.
Kenya had the better chances due to their numerical advantage at the start of the second half but goalkeeper Nahimana Jonathan was at his best in the day to thwart most of the efforts by the visitors.
McCarthy made a double substitution in the 64th minute, introducing Job Ochieng and Ryan Ogam for Austin Odhiambo and Duke Abuya and the changes bore fruits almost immediately as Ogam struck in the 72nd minute after being put through by captain Michael Olunga.
The goal was Ogam’s sixth in his last eight appearances for the national team with the win now propelling Stars to third in Group F with 12 points.
Attention for McCarthy and his team will now shift to their final group fixture against the Ivory Coast.
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